It's A Rock Star's Life by Rie McGaha
That's what most people think when they find out I'm an author, and everyone seems very impressed and kind of in awe that I have such a "glamorous" life. I know every author out there reading this right now is laughing because: 1) They've had a similar experience, and 2) It's far from the reality of it.
Don't get me wrong, being a full time author has its perks. I am able to work from home in my pj's; my laptop allows me to sit in bed with the TV on (I will not miss Maury for anything!), and I work my own hours, take breaks when I want – for as long as I want, and yep, I get paid for it. Not a bad job at all. However, it also has drawbacks. I am on line ten or more hours a day. I spend a good portion of those hours promoting my work and/or editing my work. My on line life often clashes with my real life.
For instance, this week is a great example. On Monday my preggo daughter began having contractions, but nothing regular or strong enough to warrant a trip to the hospital, which is good because the hospital is seventy-five miles away. She has an eighteen month old daughter, Meagan, and it takes the four adults in this house to keep her under control and occupied. On Tuesday we had more thunderstorms, which isn't unusual for where we live, but there has been an extraordinary amount of storms and tornadoes this year, and by ten that night, we were on our way to the hospital.
We made the trip in howling winds, driving rain, and about one thousand lightning strikes per minute. I spent the night sleeping in a hospital chair because the doctor wasn't going to come in till the next morning. Wednesday morning the doctor came in, broke Lisa's water and in about thirty minutes, we had an 8lb 10oz bounding baby boy. Then I had to hightail it back home to relieve Papa from Meagan duty, in yet another thunderstorm that knocked out the power. I had a radio podcast show to do that evening but with no power, I had no phone and no computer so I couldn't even let my producer or the guest know.
This morning my daughter and her son were released from the hospital. I picked them up, while my husband took our son-in-law to his appointment for a vasectomy, (my daughter had a tubal ligation the night before). Contending with a daughter who is sore and tired, a granddaughter who is not too happy about her mother bringing that baby into the house, a sil who is using frozen peas to help the swelling in his nether region, a husband who is worn out and has missed two days of work, and a Chihuahua and a French bulldog who are also jealous of the new baby – it's been one of those days when I almost with I didn't live with my daughter. Almost.
* * * * *
While you can see I truly don't live a glamorous life, I do live a blessed one that I wouldn't change for the world. Dust bunnies, dirty dishes, and unmade beds can wait while Nana takes care of her babies, and usually so can my muse.
Rie McGaha is an author, editor, and reviewer. She has more than a dozen books to her credit, with books 2 & 3 of the My Soul To Keep Trilogy being released I n July & Sept. You can join Rie, GA Hauser, & Stormy Glenn at Blog Talk Radio, May 14, 2011 at noon CST, with an all day group chat at Erotic Promo.
"Da, we've returned with news you aren't going to like," Caleb called out.
William stood and turned to the trio. He raised his brows as he looked them over. "So who's this then?" He nodded toward the boy in Calen's arms.
"That's what you're not going to like, Da. We need to get the babe here to Margaret for care, and then we can tell you the tale."William pulled the rope, and a loud bell rang out. A moment later, his sister-in-law Margaret came in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a cloth.
"What is it you're wanting? I've bread to finish kneading if you want it for supper," she said, looking at William.
He sighed. The woman had no respect, but without her, he'd have never been able to raise his sons after their mother died.
Margaret turned toward Calen and Caleb and opened her arms. She walked over and wrapped all of them in a hug.
"My boys are home." She put a hand on each of their faces, patted their cheeks, and then nodded toward the boy. "And what have we here?"
Taking the child from Calen, she hugged him to her breast, then looked at the two grown men with questions in her eyes, but they shook their heads.
"Later," Calen said.
Margaret nodded. "Aren't you a sweet one?" she cooed to the little boy. He nuzzled closer to her, and she hugged him tightly.
"How old are you now? Can you show me?" He held up four fingers. "Oh, well, aren't you a big boy then? Can you tell me your name?"
"Arion," he said, barely above a whisper.
"Arion," Margaret repeated loudly and then headed back toward the kitchen door.
With his sons, William watched until the pair disappeared.
"He wouldn't even look at us," Caleb said with a shake of his head.
William grinned. "Like all of us, I s'pose he knows Margaret will get what she wants, so it's just as well to give it to her and get it over with."
They all chuckled and sat together. "So…" William looked at each of his sons. "Tell me
the story."
